New Beginnings

Scripture – Genesis 8:6-12: After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) The day of new beginning had arrived. The dove brought back the first sign of new life. I imagine that was an exciting day for Noah and his family. Then the dove did not return. We presume it found a place to rest outside the ark. The time of confinement was nearly over.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) God is always bringing new life and new possibilities. Sometimes I have to wait for that. Noah had to give up nearly everything. But look what he received in return. I will look for signs of new life today. Who knows when a fresh olive leaf might show up?

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, please move in my life today in a new way. Help me live under your control. As Noah accepted the confines of the ark, may I embrace the disciplines of a righteous life. Through the limits you set for me, I find freedom beyond measure. Thank you for that. Thank you for life today.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.